Opening details revealed for star attraction in Kilkenny

The Office of Public Works (OPW) have confirmed to Kilkenny Live that they are hoping to have Dunmore Caves reopened to the public by the end of October.

As a result of a rock fall at Dunmore Caves in 2019, major works were required to stabilise the site and ensure that the health and safety of any future visitors was uncompromised.

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Owing to its complex and unique nature, a multidisciplinary approach was required for the project.

OPW engineers and staff have engaged with various specialist services from engineering consultants, ecologists, geotechnical engineers and rope access specialists.

The OPW stated that there have been a number of factors that have created difficulties in relation to progressing this project but that works are running to schedule and are on track to be completed by the end of September.

The final preparations required to open the site will be carried out by OPW staff and it is envisaged that the site will reopen to the public by the end of October 2023.

Dunmore Caves is one of the jewels in Kilkenny’s tourism offering with up to 40,000 annual visitors.

The cave system contains some of the most impressive calcite formations found in any Irish underground structure.

The cave has been known for many centuries and is first mentioned in the ninth-century Triads of Ireland, where it is referred to as one of the ‘darkest places in Ireland’.

Dunmore is now a show cave that aims to take you deep into the earth – and even deeper into the past.